Luther “Buster” W. Bair, of Thayer, MO, left this earth at the age of 73, on August 24, 2023, in Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, after a long battle with tularemia, aka “tick fever”.
Luther was born August 19, 1950, to Bertha Mae Tuttle-Bair and John Wesley Bair in Decatur, IL. He attended Niantic-Harristown High School where he met the love of his life, Cathie Hughes. They were married April 19, 1969, in Decatur, IL, with family members present. They were blessed with four sons, Bobby, Tony, Andy, and Joey.
Luther and his family moved to Missouri in the early 1980s after visiting here on vacation and seeing the many benefits this quiet country would hold for them and their young sons.
For many years until his retirement, he worked as an auto body technician at Herb Jones’ Auto Body in Thayer, MO, repairing and restoring vehicles. He truly looked forward to working with his sons, as well as during his restoration projects of old and classic cars during his retirement. He loved fishing and living in the peaceful country. He was a gentle and quiet man to all who knew him.
Luther was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and John Bair, two sons, Andrew James of Saddle, AR, and Joseph Paul, newborn, of Decatur, IL, two sisters, Linda Bair-Wise of Koshkonong, MO, and Marjorie Bair-Van Dolah, of Thayer, MO, and one brother, Welsey “Bud” Bair of Koshkonong, MO, a grand-daughter, Alyssa Lynn Bair, of Thayer, MO, and beloved daughter-in-law Diedra Bair, of Koshkonong, MO.
Luther is survived by his wife, Cathie, sons Bobby Bair of Thayer, MO, and Anthony Bair of Koshkonong, MO, and one sister Wanda Sue Bair-Rice of Harristown, IL. He was grandfather of 15, great-grandfather of 20, and uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Interment will be during a private family service to be announced at a later date.
